The 'Cats are lively, but Grove continue their winning ways

Grove Menzieshill Ladies 1's will have to start losing to effectively throw away their chances to be crowned National 1 champions again. Yesterrday's trip to Auchenhowie didn't show them at their best by any means, but they're so strong in every department that very few teams will get the better of them regardless of how they play.

A very young (with loads of potential) Wildcats team gave them a fright early on after an equaliser from Rachel Houghton, but from then on it was business as usual for the Grove M ladies and scorers Ailsa Wylie, Ali Bell and Louise Carroll.

All credit to Wildcats though; they gave it everything under a lot of pressure and played some good, positive, attack minded hockey. Lucy MacArthur showed why she's been crowned Player of the Year for the 'Cats a number of times, after a great performance under ever increasing Grove pressure.

Man of the Match, however, goes to ex-MC Western lady, Karin Belch, who was superb down the right in a defensive/midfield role. Her positioning, tackling and many diagonal crossed balls, could have ramped the score up further if they'd been capitalised on. With the Post-split games coming soon Grove are looking good for the title, but Edinburgh University and MC Western are hot on their heels and hunting any flaws or slip-ups.